Welcome to another edition of the Roadtreking RV Lifestyle Podcast. No matter what type of RV you have – a motorhome – a towable trailer – a tent – even if your are just dreaming about getting an RV someday – this show is for you.

Here, we talk about getting out there, enjoying God’s amazing creation, meeting interesting people, boondocking, discovering interesting places and using the right gear and technology to enhance our RVing lifestyle.

So welcome, we are honored that you chose to put us in your ear this week!

Lots of great info in this week’s podcast, including an off the beaten path report that tells us that everyplace has a story. And sometimes, even a song.

We also have an insider’s account of that story from Yellowstone last week that generated so much reaction, the story of the baby bison calf – abandoned by its mother – that was “rescued” by tourists who put it in their car to take it to a ranger. That was a bad decision that eventually led to the bison calf having to be euthanized. There’s much more to this story than meets the eye and we’ll share the account of a top nature photographer who was on the scene.

Scroll down for show note details and resources and click the player below to start listening. When you see a time code hyperlink, you can click it to jump directly to that segment of the podcast.

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Show Notes for Episode #89 May 25, 2016 of Roadtreking – The RV Lifestyle Podcast:

JENNIFER’S TIP OF THE WEEK [spp-timestamp time=”4:25″]

Ever run into your awning support pole?

Hurts, doesn’t it!

We’ve all done that. So don’t think you’re the only one.

Well here’s a tip to help you avoid that…. or at least to make it not hurt so much when you do.

Get a pool noodle…. you know, those Styrofoam logs that are pool toys… you can get them for a buck or so at the dollar stores…

Slice them lengthwise and then wrap them around those awning poles. They serve as both a warning… and a cushion. They easily store in the basement area of your RV when not in use.

And while we’re talking about those pool noodles, here’s another tip. This one comes from Roget, one of the regulars on our Roadtreking Facebook group.

Roger’s tip is for those of you who travel with dogs. Seems a lot of dogs get their collars tangled up in the seat recline lever? Roger says those pool noodles can make a “lever guard.” Cut it, fit it around the lever and then duct take it.

No more stuck doors on the lever!

If you have an RV or camping trip, use the “Leave Voicemail” link to the right and send it in.

I love hearing about all the tips you guys have!

The tip of the week is brought to you by Good Sam, the world’s most popular RV organization, now celebrating its 50th year.

LISTENER QUESTIONS OF THE WEEK: [spp-timestamp time=”9:34″]

Wade asks about whether he should get 4 Wheel Drive in his new Class B motorhome. Mike says not unless he will be going off road. Mike boondocks everywhere and has never needed 4 wheel drive, even when driving in heavy snow.

Merrill has a question about solar charging his batteries and running his refrigerator. Mike tells him he doesn’t need lithium, that AGM batteries are fine and that he should be able to top the batteries off enough to easily run his refrigerator for several days.

Rod wants to know how he can get advance notice of our Facebook Live video feeds. Re only way is by checking our Facebook group throughout the day as we decide to do them rather spontaneously, though we do try to give a few hours notice – www.facebook.com/groups/roadtreking

Lisa asks about securely locking up your gear in an RV. Mike found a lot on Amazon but the best price from Lazy Days RV, at $41 for a 12-by-8-by 3 1/2 inch box that can be welded into the chassis under the coach floor. I’d suggest a safe store. Take your RV there and show them.

Sponsoring this part of the podcast is Van City RV in St. Louis, and their Partner Dealerships Creston RV in Kalispell, Montana, and Wagon Trail RV in Las Vegas. Bringing You the largest Inventory of class B’s from three locations.

This part of the podcast is brought to you by Campers Inn, the nation’s largest family-operated RV dealership with 15 locations on the East Coast Campers Inn RV is giving away The Ultimate Camping Package! The camping package includes a: propane grill, large cooler, 2 camping chairs, a two-person lazy river tube and more. A $500 value! Go to www.campersinn.com/roadtreking for your chance to win. Promo code: camping. Winner will be announced Aug 1, 2016.

This portion of the podcast is brought to you by Alde the only name in heat that you need to know for your RV

TRAVELING TECH TIP: [spp-timestamp time=”44:07″]

Verizon’s Steve Van Dinter reports on a new free Verizon app perfect for you Indy Race fans called IndyCar.

And Mike has some great apps to help you identify the plants and trees you find out there in your RV travels.

Garden Answers helps identify more than 20,000 plants with detailed information. Take a picture of the plant, tap the ‘submit’ button and answers are instantly provided about what’s growing. Garden Answers also provides details about plant diseases and insect infestations with more than 200,000 commonly asked plant questions. The app is free and for iOS and Android.

Plantifier uses social media to help identify plants. Take a photo, hit the ‘submit’ button and members of the MyGarden.org community will respond with an answer. In case you’re wondering, MyGarden.org bills itself as the social network for garden lovers so chances are users will be able to get fast and accurate answers. Free for iOS and Android.

By the way, if you’re curious about trees, consider Leafsnap – a so-called electronic field guide developed by university researchers and the Smithsonian Institution. The app uses visual recognition software to identify tree species from photos of their leaves. The app also contains high-resolution images of leaves, flowers, fruits, seeds, and bark to aid identification – all created by the conservation group called Finding Species. The app is free for iOS.

This podcast is brought to you by Verizon, which operates America’s most reliable wireless network, with more than 112 million retail connections nationwide.

OFF THE BEATEN PATH REPORT – Every place has a story…and a song [spp-timestamp time=”50:28″]

7Tom Burkett has a great story this week about a little town on the Great Plains in Iowa that has quite a story. It’s all about a little brown church there and a song that, through the years, has made it one of the best known churches around, even though the town it started in as pretty much up and died. Listen to Tom’s report and you can catch the song, made famous by the Carter family, right here on YouTube.

This part of the podcast is brought to you by AllStays – the Internets #1 RV and camping app since 2010

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Many listeners are asking how they can subscribe, review and rate the Roadtreking Podcast on iTunes. With a new podcast like this, those reviews and ratings are really important to be able to show well in the iTunes listings. So if you can, I’d sure appreciate it if you’d subscribe and leave me your review.

Here’s how:

First, open up the iTunes app on your computer or mobile device. Click on Podcasts up on the top
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